Help Importing files into Signlab7

[Nicola McIntosh]

I’m sure there is an import information box which asks which files you would like to use and import, but cant remember where it is sorry not much help, but I’m sure it will jog someone elses memory 😀

[Colin Aburrow]

Hi Nicola

Yes there is and have selected file types but when I try to place file on the page it comes up with the file name at the top of the screen but nothing appears on screen just blank.

Got me stumped.

[Peter Normington]

Colin are you using the "import button" or dragging the file onto signlab, either way should work, but you cant "open" other files, which build and version of sl do you have? press help,-about sl, then "r"

Have you tried placing an eps in the vpm to see if that works?
Peter

[Phill Fenton]

quote Colin Aburrow:

when I try to place file on the page it comes up with the file name at the top of the screen but nothing appears on screen just blank.

That suggests to me that you have succeeded in opening the file – you just can’t see it.

Try zooming out as it may have imported into an area of the page that is off screen.

Another possibility is that the image may be painted white and if you are viewing it in colour you will not be able to see it. Change the view to wireframe

[Peter Normington]

good thinking Phill,
In this case Colin, you could also try the "zoom to selected button" (F7) immediately after importing

Peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Hi Peter/Phil

Its Signlab 7.1 and I have tried many different files and types but its as if Signlab seems to process the file but just doesn’t appear on screen. I have tries zooming right out and tried to select all but nothing. I have just tried to copy from Illustrator and paste into signlab and that seems to work. I must admit its got me a bit stumped.

Colin

[Phill Fenton]

Have you tried a "File open" instead of "File import" to open the file?

[Colin Aburrow]

Hi Phil,

Yes I have tried that but it will only let me open cdl files. I can see the eps files in the preview window but won’t let me import that way. It’s as if I don’t seem to have something in the setting switched on but I have tried to go through all the setting and they seem correct. I have also tried un-installing and reinstalling but still nothing.

Colin

[Peter Normington]

Colin
when you click to import, do you get another dialogue box asking
which filter to use?
Peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Hi Peter,

Yes it does but even selecting the correct file type it seems to make no difference you get the file name appear at the top of the screen it seems to process the file but nothing appears on screen. I have tied selecting all zooming out as Phil mentioned but nothing. The only way I can get anything other than a cdl file to appear is to copy in Illustrator and paste in Signlab.

Colin

[Jason Davies]

As a matter of interest which program did you use to save the file as an eps, Illustrator? Corel?

Jason

[Peter Normington]

try ticking the merge option when you first import the file.
also have you got any layers at the bottom left, if so try collapsing them

Peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Jason it was created & saved in Illustrator CS3.

Peter I have tried with merge ticked and un-ticked no joy. There is no layer information at the left hand corner. I can see the information as Signlab processing it but once the egg timer has finished the information disappears.

I can create text & object files in Signlab and save them and then re-open with no problem but any eps,pdf.

I have just tried jpeg and it works ok 😀 so it seems to only be eps, AI and pdfs. But as most cut vinyl are vector based Illustrator files a bit inconvenient.

Colin

[Peter Normington]

Colin can you post up one of the files?
or send me one via email?

peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Peter

I get file name & files of type. I have tried using the correct filter.

Colin

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Attachments:

Anna_Sui_Logo_Eyewear.Test.eps

[Peter Normington]

Colin,
Are you new to signlab, or is this a problem that has just started,
I only ask because SL7 is quite old now, and I am wondering if you have a mickey mouse version? I dont mean that in a bad way, because you could have bought it included with some equipment etc. do you have a dongle?

Peter

[Peter Normington]

colin
your file opens for me, but it is only 11mm square!
is your signblank turned on?
if so it should open in the bottom left corner
give me a few mins i will look further

Peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Peter

It came pre-loaded with an laptop & old cutter I bought a few years ago from bankrupt business but haven’t used since. Laptop is defunct so have just loaded to new pc. I have backup disk and serial no but there was no dongle. I have just bought a new Summacut 1400 which did come with winplot but thought that Signlab would be a better operating package to use after reading some of the post on here.

Colin

[Colin Aburrow]

Peter I had to reduce size to post due to min 400kb

[Peter Normington]

Colin there are 4 stars in the image, they have a very thick line, so I think because the image is so small it is having a confusing effect, I can open the file in corel, and illustrator and in wireframe it is fine, it is also ok in signlab, but before enlarging you would need to make the line Hairline otherwise you will have unusall results
I have re-sized the file in signlab so try this and let me know the results

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Attachments:

colin.ai

[Peter Normington]

Colin if you dont have a dongle its a cracked or demo copy. so that could be where the problem lies 🙁

Peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Peter the file you sent over loaded fine?? Don’t understand what did you do?

Colin

[Peter Normington]

Colin, I just zoomed in on it, selected the "stars" changed the outline to a hairline and enlarged, an eps vector file should not change in size, no matter how big it is in dimensions.

Peter

[Colin Aburrow]

Peter I have just tried back saving a few different files to legacy ver.3 and all loaded ok. Is this what I have been doing wrong or should I be able to load any CS3 AI or eps. Sorry it sounds like a silly question but just trying to learn & understand as this type of work and programs is still very new to me.

Thank you for all the help time and patience you have taken with me.

Colin

[Peter Normington]

may be the case Colin,
I opended the files in SL 8 and 9,
but they may not be compatible with signlab 7

Peter